A sense of tension and dread reverberated through Rhajat as she studied her boyfriend preparing his bestial companion for their flight. Her trepidation ultimately culminated in a swarm of anxious butterflies circling patterns in her stomach.

Her gaze eventually fell upon the handmade saddle Percy had crafted for her and the fabric 'R' symbolising her name. She sighed penitently. She knew how passionately Percy wanted her to accompany him on a flight, and after weeks of waiting, she eventually accepted. Her agreement was one thing, but it didn't mean that she was comfortable proceeding.

"Before we commence, I wish to reaffirm that I don't completely consent to this."

"Really? Why not?"

Rhajat folded her arms. "I…have some reservations."

The young man smiled hopefully. "Reservations? That's alright, there's no need to worry. Nobody else is waiting for a turn, you're the only one."

She rolled her eyes. "Not scheduled reservations. I mean…I mean I'm…reluctant."

Percy's amused demeanour disappeared. "Oh, I see." He exchanged a concerned between his reptile companion and her. "We…we don't have to if you don't want to."

Although it wasn't the conclusion she knew he wanted, it was the one she did, and Rhajat loathed herself for her pathetic ineptitude. "Would you mind if we postponed this for another time?"

Percy shook his head. "Sure, no problem. We'll go whenever you're ready. So…we'll make a reservation?"

She nodded. "Yes, in this context."

"Alright, will do."

Before Rhajat could summon an apology, a screech was emitted from his companion. Immediately, Percy turned around and stared in shock.

"Hey, that is enough, mister!"

The wyvern snarled, prompting Percy to fold his arms.

"I know you're disappointed but there's nothing else we can do. It's not her fault – she's just scared, that's all."

Her boyfriend's comment brought a scowl to Rhajat's face. "I am not scared."

"Wait, you aren't? I thought you said…?"

"I said: I harbour some reluctance." She closed her eyes. "I've…I've never ridden any manner of bestial creature before, so you'll have to forgive me if I don't feel completely comfortable." She hadn't mean to sound provocative, she only wished to emphasise her uneasiness.

However, her boyfriend's wounded expression implied otherwise. "Do…do you think Ace is gonna bite or something, 'cause he won't."

Rhajat shook her head. "No, that's not the reason." She reflected on her experience with the wyvern when she volunteered to supervise it. "I…trust him. It's not so much I'm concerned about an injury from him as it is I'm frightened of making impact with the Earth at an exceedingly dangerous velocity."

Percy stared blankly.

She rolled her eyes. "I'm afraid I may fall."

"Oh, what? Seriously? Nah, that could never happen. These harnesses are specially crafted and reinforced. Trust me, I know. I've been flying on Ace since before I can remember, and I don't ever recall falling off", he smiled bashfully, "…unless it was intentional."

Rhajat studied his demeanour intently, determined to scrutinise and expose the falsehoods in his statements; she couldn't find any, however. She exchanged a glance towards the reptile who greeted her with an expectant glaze. It too was evidently eager for a response.

"Are you positive it's safe?"

Percy nodded reassuringly. "Yep."

Still unconvinced, Rhajat averted her gaze.

"I promise: you're gonna be fine."

Rhajat scoffed half-heartedly, mesmerised by Percy's insistence. Although the dominative part of her being – the reclusive, anti-social one - tried to coerce her into fabricating an excuse as to why she couldn't participate, her repressed caring and nurturing instincts reminded her how patient her boyfriend had been for such an occasion.

With an exhale, Rhajat rubbed her brow softly. "…Let's get this over with."

He illuminated excitement. "Really? Oh, that's…this is really great to hear."

Without hesitation, Percy eagerly assisted her into a comfortable position on the back of the reptile – a task she ventured he'd performed several times. It wasn't long before he too was in position, seated in front of her with his hands clutching the reigns.

"Righto, you ready back there?"

She sighed. "As ready as I'll ever be." She whispered beneath her breath. "This is how I die."

"Sorry?"

"Nothing."

Percy nodded confidently before addressing his steed. "Alright, Ace, just like we've practiced. Don't forget you're carrying a passenger so remember: be gentle, and take this slowly."

The wyvern's screech brought Rhajat to wince with uncertainty, and this apprehension intensified upon witnessing the reptile unfold and extend its wings. As the beast initiated an intense sprint through the open clearing, Rhajat closed her eyes with her arms around the young man's waist. How she wished she hadn't reconsidered accepting his invitation.

"Hold on, here we go!"

Percy's exclamation was followed by the unbearable sensation of weightlessness in her stomach as the wyvern began its ascent. After what seemed like an eternity, the ascension and turbulence from such acceleration came to a halt.

"Hey, are you…? You can open your eyes now."

After a moment of reluctance, she obeyed, and the landscape made her entire body tense. Beneath her feet was the dense foliage of trees that once towered above her, and when concentrating she could observe the lake they visited often.

"Gods, what…what altitude are we at?"

Percy turned his head with a shrug. "Dunno, but we're pretty high up, aren't we." He extended a finger eagerly. "Look, you can see the town from up here."

Rhajat followed the direction and, sure enough, there was indeed the town, only from their perspective the once bustling and congregated kingdom looked as if it were a model.

"What d'ya think of the view?"

She answered breathlessly. "It's incredible. I've…I've never seen the kingdom from this perspective."

"Yeah, it's pretty jaw-dropping, isn't it?"

Her survey of the landscape was interrupted by a screech from the wyvern.

"A-ace, no! It's not that kind of…!"

The knot in Rhajat's stomach returned upon witnessing the reptile's wings retract suddenly.

"Ace, no!" Percy commanded desperately, "stop!"

But his objection was in vain, because before either of the young adults could react, the wyvern began to plummet back towards the Earth with frightening speed in a nose-dive. Terrified, Rhajat tightened her grip around her boyfriend's waist and pressed her face against his shoulder, knowing very well what was to happen next.

However, instead of making impact with the ground, the reptile abruptly returned into a gliding formation, only this time with the same force of velocity. Rhajat opened her eyes desperately to inspect what had happened, only to witness the mesmerising sights of trees and bushes barrelling past her at blinding speeds, all while the excitable wyvern performed a myriad of tricks and formations, even going so far to perform a shuttle loop.

It wasn't long, however, until Percy finally composed control of his companion and brought the disobedient beast to a halt in a clearing.

With her ears still ringing, Rhajat observed in dissuliusion as Percy effortlessly removed himself from the harness, climbed down and stormed towards the reptile's snout.

"That wasn't funny! Why didn't you listen to me!?"

Ace screeched in response.

"So!?"

Another screech.

"That's not the point! I know we've flown like that before, but this was Rhajat's first time, and you were told to behave yourself!" He pointed his finger accusingly and the wyvern snarled threateningly.

Percy sighed with exhaustion and migrated beside Rhajat. "I'm…I'm so sorry." He hung his head sorrowfully. "I didn't mean to frighten you. Ace – he…he got a little carried away. I'm really sorry."

Rhajat hadn't acknowledged his presence, she was far too occupied on the event she had just experienced. The intense speed and acceleration, the almost ticklish sensation in her abdomen, and not to mention the incredible view – it was all so…liberating.

A maddening smile slowly emerged. "…That was…exhilarating!"

"What?"

"That was electrifying! Gods, I've…I've never felt this way before." She placed a hand over her chest to inspect her heart still racing excitedly with adrenaline.

"We must do this again."

"Oh, really? You weren't scared?" He smiled hopefully. "Did…did you really enjoy yourself?"

"Yes, verily. Thank you for that. I…I shall not forget this experience."

Averting his eyes bashfully, Percy shrugged absentmindedly. "Oh, well, it was my pleasure, I guess? I'm…real pleased to hear you like it, even if it didn't go quite as smoothly as I intended."

Rhajat had to disagree – it far surpassed her expectations.

Politely, Percy extended a hand. "Here, I'll help you down."

As Rhajat and Percy focused on bringing her back down to solid ground, the pair failed to acknowledge the wyvern's inconveniently placed tail it had subtly positioned behind them, and as luck would have it, Percy unfortunately stumbled over it.

In an act of desperation, Percy grasped Rhajat for balance but to no avail as she too was propelled forward, collapsing on top of him.

With their bodies against one another's and their faces mere inches apart, the pair of young adults remained completely motionless before anxiously returning to their feet. Rhajat's heart was racing fiendishly, but she ventured from his flustered and embarrassed demeanour that he did not reciprocate her sentiments.

Percy shook his head nervously. "I'm…I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't…"

Even with her face still radiating intently, Rhajat simply couldn't let an opportunity for some harmless teasing escape her.

Exaggeratedly, she recoiled in mock astonishment. "I say, Percy, control yourself."

Percy raised his hands apologetically.

She brought a hand to her chest. "I…I was not prepared for such an intimate display of affection – in public, no less."

The flush across the young man's face intensified. "What? N-no, I swear I didn't-"

She silenced him a raised hand before adopting an exaggerated sincere demeanour. "While I commend your efforts, now is not the time for such activities. I don't believe we've reached that stage in our relationship."

As she expected, Percy struggled to process her remark as he stared in shock, emphasised by his wide pupils and uneasy expression.

Relishing in the moment, the mischievous young woman elected to leave him to his thoughts as she slowly migrated back towards the beaten path, swaying her hips and finally concluding her ruse with one last seductive smile as she nibbled on her thumb.

"Not yet, at least."

I and I in the sky / You make me feel like I can fly, so high

Elevation